TAAN, workers union ink deal

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) and All Nepal Tourism Workers' Union (ANTWA) inked a five-point deal on 11 October, raising the daily wage of trekking workers by Rs 150 a day on tea-house trekking and Rs 100 a day on camping trek with immediate effect. However, porters will get a raise of Rs 150 on both treks.

They also agreed to form a task force of concerned stakeholders to address other demands of workers, including clothing bank, insurance and permanent appointment to the workers in a package.

"The task force will submit its report by December 15 and its recommendations would be implemented from January 2010. A representative of Ministry of Labour and Transport Management will also be included in the task force," TAAN president Sitaram Sapkota, said after signing the agreement.

Sapkota, 1st vice president Bachhu Narayan Shrestha, executive member Suman Dahal, former 1st vice president Nima Nuru Sherpa and former treasurer Mohan Lamsal signed the agreement on behalf of TAAN and Govinda Poudel, president-ANTWA, Mukunda Pokharel, general secretary-ANTWA, Prakash Shrestha, representative-All Nepal Trade Union Federation (ANTUF) and Nirmal Pandey, member-ANTWA signed the agreement on behalf of the workers.

Following the agreement, ANTWA has called off its protest programmes.

According to the agreement, company will not be compelled to provide food to workers in tea-house trekking. If the workers arrange food on their own on camping trekking, they will get additional Rs 150 per day.